11/13/04
There
are a lot of ways you can play a significant part in your community’s drug
prevention programs. Many local heroes are probably working already to make a
difference in your neighborhood. Anyone, any age can get involved – male or
female, homemaker or corporate VP. No special skills needed. No matter what it
is, you have something to offer.
Effective
drug prevention revolves around education and positive alternatives. First and
foremost, the idea is to keep people away from drugs by providing this
information and support they need to make healthy lifestyle choices. It’s also
important to give people – especially youth – somewhere to go and something
better to do than drugs.
Today’s
young people want and need fun, challenging ways to spend their free time. And
they need positive, successful role models who care, listen, who can help them
recognize and build their own strengths. In fact, when kids enjoy regular
positive activity with an adult they are less likely to begin using drugs and
alcohol and less likely to skip school. Conversely, they’re more likely to
improve academic performance, develop better problem-solving and decision making
skills, self confidence and a sense of belonging.
Any
fun and positive activity can help. Something challenging and enjoyable.
Something with meaning. Something that offers kids an opportunity to work
together and improve their own community. Something that can promote cultural or
community awareness. Something that builds self-esteem. There are many drug
prevention organizations in your community that sponsor these types of
activities.
After-school
hours are high-risk periods for alcohol and illicit drug use, unprotected sex
and violence among youths. Approximately one-third of all violent juvenile
crimes occur between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m, when many children are
unsupervised. Targeted programs during these vulnerable hours can help prevent,
reduce, or delay the onset of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. After-school
programs can also reinforce social skills learned in school and at home.
Sports
Programs
Millions
of American children participate in elementary, middle or high school sports
teams and many others join community teams, providing opportunities to reach
large number of youths with prevention messages. Coaches and other supervisors
can be trained to recognize warning signs of substance abuse and deal with at-risk athletes.
Community
Groups
Creating
a safe place for youths to gather after school can help protect them from risk
factors in the community, in peer groups or at home. Programs can be developed
through partnerships with the city, the local school district, and a nonprofit
community center. Providing constructive and healthy activities for youths –
coupled with substance abuse prevention – can offset the attraction to
alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Community youth development programs, such as
the Boys and Girls Club, can integrate prevention education into traditional
activities..
Mentoring
While
informal mentoring occurs naturally for children who have positive adult influences, many young people have few positive adult role models. Formal mentoring programs assist these children by structuring one-to-one relationships with caring adults that can reduce risk factors for substance abuse, such as social isolation and insufficient supervision. A positive adult role model also offers new perspective to youths living in situations rife with substance abuse and violence.
http://www.helpyourcommunity.org/drug_prevention.html